Bailey Kuk

It is with the heaviest of hearts that the family of Bailey Herman Kuk announces that he passed away on Monday, Feb. 6, 2017, as the result of an accidental overdose at his home in Brattleboro, Vt. Tragically, once again our world has suffered a heartbreaking loss at the hands of the monster that is addiction.

Bailey, the only son of Julie Follett Kuk of 61 Elliott Road, Lyndonville, and Michael Kuk of Middlesex, was born July 14, 1988, in Middlebury, Vermont. He grew up in Lyndonville and graduated from Lyndon Institute, Class of 2006. Bailey graduated from the New England Institute of Art with a Bachelor’s degree in photography and worked as a freelance photographer in Boston and Florida before returning to Vermont.

Bailey will be remembered by his friends and family for his kind heart, his power of observation, his artistic eye, his musicianship, and particularly for his sense of humor and quick wit. In remembrance, his friends have said, “He is one of the funniest people I’ve ever met.” “He reached out to me on his own to show me kindness and support at a time when I needed it most.” “He always lit up the room and made me laugh so hard.” “He offered me perspective when I lost mine, and was my voice when I couldn’t do it myself.” “He made everyone around him happier, laugh more, and appreciate the beauty of life.” “He was deep, real, completely himself, original, mellow, and generous.” Bailey will be terribly missed forever.

Bailey is survived by his mother, his father and his partner, Erin Webb, and his half-sister, Rosie, also of Middlesex; his maternal grandparents, Frank Bailey and Barbara Eaton Follett, of East Charleston and Lyndonville; his paternal grandparents, Norbert and Jane Kuk of Perham, Maine; and Carolyn Edwards of Albany, N.Y.; a special aunt and uncle, Nancy and Dick Lawrence of Lyndonville; and many more aunts, uncles and cousins from Maine to Oregon. Bailey was predeceased by his maternal grandmother, Sarah Eaton Follett and his paternal uncle, Steven Kuk.

Bailey’s photographic talent will be honored at Lyndon Institute with an annual scholarship in his memory to be given to a senior pursuing postsecondary education in the field of graphic arts and photography. Contributions in Bailey’s memory may be sent to the Lyndon Institute Development Office, Attn: Melissa Hall, Director of Development, P.O. Box 127, Lyndon Center, VT 05850. There are no services planned for now. A private family burial will take place in the spring.

A wonderful sample of Bailey’s photographs can be seen at https://www.baileykukphotography.com